2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible

The new generation 911 Targa lineup comes with standard all-wheel drive and the 4S variant is essentially the S version of the regular 911 models that get higher engine output from the same standard engine. Porsche does not offer many creature comforts or safety functions as standard and needs to be opted for as a part of various options packages that are on offer from Porsche.

One can also opt for various performance upgrades with their options packages like the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) that costs $9,860, or the various Sport Packages that can set you back from anywhere between $2,790 to $6,680. Additionally, there is also a Heritage Design Interior Package that brings the 4S Targa’s cabin in line with the Heritage Edition variant but costs a whopping $15,150 over the base price.

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As there are very standard features and functions offered by Porsche with the Targa 4S, but one has to opt for the desired ones as per their own preferences and needs. That being said, one needs to keep an eye on the tab as the final prices tend to skyrocket with the customization options. 

Release Date

The entire range of 911 models has already been unveiled by Porsche and has also committed to bringing the 2022 911 Targa 4S by the fall of 2021 to all the dealerships across the country. 

The 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged horizontal or flat-6 engine that produces 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, up from the 379 hp and 331 lb-ft from the lower Targa 4 models. The power is sent to all four wheels as standard through either an eight-speed PDK automatic transmission or a seven-speed manual transmission for no additional cost. 

The performance from the Targa 4S is exceptional as it manages to outperform much more powerful and expensive convertibles from rival brands in the straight-line tests. It manages a 0-60 mph run in just 3.4 seconds while crossing the quarter-mile run in under 12 seconds. The top speed is also limited at 188 mph, 8 mph higher than the Targa 4. The fact that these numbers are almost identical to the coupe model and quicker than the convertible despite being the heaviest of the three, is worth appreciating. 

The braking performance from Porsche is also one of the best in the segment by a large margin, needing less than 100 feet to halt the vehicle from 60 mph. The suspension and steering are so well tuned that around the corners, the Porsche grips the road like one holds on to their dear life at a high-speed roller coaster. With such massive grip and power reserves under the hood, the Porsche still manages to be a practical daily commuter car and doesn't feel overwhelming to drive.

The 911 Targa’s performance is quicker than most of its peers while also being more affordable than them. The Jaguar F-Type R convertible is the quickest and most affordable of the lot though and has the highest engine output on offer. The Mercedes GT Roadster is marginally less expensive than the Porsche but is also a bit slower off the mark. The Audi R8 Spyder employs the largest engine in this comparison and yet is the slowest one here. 

The reason for many to consider the 911 to be a practical performance car that can be used for daily driving is its frugality. The 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S is rated for 20 mpg combined which is more than all its rivals and on par with many sporty sedans. In spite of its compact nature, Porsche has managed to fit in a 17.6-gallon fuel tank that aids in offering a pretty decent driving range of about 350 miles. 

The massive naturally aspirated V10 under the hood of the Audi R8 Spyder was never intended to be frugal by any means and hence has the highest fuel consumption here. The AMG GT Roadster also offers similar fuel efficiency while the Jaguar is marginally better in every aspect of fuel efficiency tests. Both the Porsche and Audi have similar driving ranges to offer, which is only marginally better than the Mercedes and Jaguar convertibles.

The cabin of the Targa 4S resembles the interiors of other 911 models and frankly, nobody would ever complain about it. It has a simple design, is covered in premium materials, has the precision German build quality, and comes loaded with technology. Add to that the almost unending list of personalization and customization options available from Porsche, one can spec their Targa 4S to be as unique as they want to. 

At the front, there is sufficient space to accommodate an average-sized American, but taller occupants will find their knees rubbing on one or the other surfaces. The open-top roof is obviously much larger than the sunroof of the coupe but doesn’t completely open up as the convertible and hence if the kids are seated at the rear, they shall sit under the glass-covered canopy.

Everything from the leather upholstery and the Sport Chrono watch at the center of the dashboard gets customization options. There’s body-colored, aluminum, and carbon-fiber interior panel trim on offer to choose from along with ambient lighting. A wide range of colors for the upholstery alongside ventilated seats, a variety of steering wheels, personalized door-sill guards, adaptive sport seats with memory function, and various other custom features can opt for an additional premium. 

Although the Porsche offers two additional seats at the rear, only young kids can ever manage to get in and out of those bucket seats and is best used as additional luggage space, which in general is limited in nature. The Jaguar has the most spacious cabin and trunk in comparison while the Mercedes-AMG GT is marginally more spacious than the R8 and 911 Targa 4S. Some of the features in the 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible are:

• 6-Way Driver Heated Seat w/Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry
• 50-50 Folding Bucket Fold Forward Rear Seat
• Leather Seat Trim and Leather Door Trim Insert
• Tilt/Telescoping Sport Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• HomeLink Garage Door Transmitter

How intuitive is the 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible’s infotainment unit?

Although Porsche has been under the wings of the Volkswagen group for years now which is known for its supremacy in technology, the infotainment system is something that they haven’t been able to perfect yet. The high-definition touchscreen although looks pretty good and has crisp graphics, both the screen and knobs control are a bit of a stretch to reach. The standard voice commands aren’t up to the mark and it is preferred to use the smartphone integration for the same.

Thankfully, years after it became standard on much more affordable vehicles in the market, Porsche now finally offers Android Auto integration along with the already available Apple CarPlay. The standard eight-speaker audio system is weak and suffers from poor sound staging and we would recommend opting for either the $1,600 Bose surround sound system or the high-end $5,560 Burmester premium surround sound system if you want to enjoy the music with the wind in your hair. Some of the features in the 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible are:

• 8.0-inch Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
• LTE communication module, wireless internet access, and Porsche Connect Services
• Navigation plus w/real time traffic information and online map update
• 8-speaker 150-watt audio system
• Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity
• Voice control

The Targa is probably one of the most unique body styles available in the automotive world and Porsche makes the most attractive one of the lot. The glass canopy at the rear gives it the silhouette of a coupe while the silver roll-bar just ahead of it pays homage to the 911 Targa of the 1960s. If silver isn’t your style, Porsche will also paint it black for you, for an obvious additional price.

LED auto-leveling headlights are standard, but one can also opt for LED-Matrix Design Headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus for over $4,000. One can get the brake calipers painted in gloss black for under a grand while opting for the Ceramic Composite Brakes will set you back by around 10 grand. There is also a wide range of optional alloy wheels available from Porsche to better suit your taste and style. 

Unlike what the tight cabin of the 911 might suggest, it is a pretty long car. It isn’t as wide but has a hunkered down low stance that might affect practicality a bit on the broken roads, but aids it in the corners. The Audi R8 is the shortest of the lot while the Jaguar F-Type R has the lowest ride height. The Mercedes GT Roadster has the best ground clearance on offer and is also the largest one here which helps it open up additional cabin space. Some of the features in the 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible are:

• Automatic Projector Beam LED Daytime Running Auto-Leveling Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Power Convertible Top w/Lining, Glass Rear Window, Fixed Roll-Over Protection and Manual Wind Blocker
• Power Spoiler
• Power Heated Auto Dimming Side Mirrors
• Black Side Windows Trim and Black Rear Window Trim
• 20-inch Front/21-inch Rear Carrera S Wheels w/Silver Accents

There is again no question that many of the modern day driver assistance features will need shelling out additional money. As standard there are all the mandatory safety features on offer along with a few additional features but other than that, it is pretty bare bones in this regard. Being a high value low sales volume car, it hasn’t been crash tested yet but the myriad of available safety driver aids like, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, and even night vision along with the precision German build quality ensures maximum safety of all the occupants. Some of the features in the 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible are:

• Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and Porsche Traction Management (PTM)
• Front Collision Mitigation and Automated Emergency Braking
• Warn and Brake Assist
• ParkAssist Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Back-Up Camera

2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible vs Audi R8 Spyder V10

The Audi R8 might share a few components from the VAG’s inventory with the Porsche 911, it is a whole different car than the Targa. The Porsche although is less powerful than the Audi, it is quicker off the line and is also much more frugal. Both offer similar cabin and trunk space but the Audi offers a lot more standard creature comforts and technology. There are also a few more standard safety features on offer in the Audi, but nothing can match the driving experience of the Porsche. 

2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible vs Jaguar F-Type R Convertible

The Jaguar F-Type is not only more affordable than the Porsche 911 Targa, it is also much more powerful and slightly quicker to the quarter mile. It also offers a more spacious cabin and boot than the 911 and also features plenty of standard equipment. That being said, the Porsche is more frugal and has the better handling to offer. Add to that the unending list of customization and personalization available, it is definitely the go to car for the ones who aren’t really tight on their budgets.

 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Convertible vs Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz GT Roadster might be priced very similarly to the 911 Targa 4S, but in spite of its higher engine output, it is slower than the Porsche and also has a much higher fuel consumption. The cabin is only marginally more spacious, but the build quality and premium appeal is pretty much the same. Though there aren’t as many customization options with the Mercedes, there is a long list of features that comes in as standard.

The new 992 generation of Porsche 911 offers a great value to enthusiasts who want nothing but the best from the sports cars. The 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S offers all of that with a coupe yet convertible roof-top that now gets a powered roof. It is quick, agile and has a premium appeal to it. It is practical to use daily and yet can outrun most road cars at a track. Though the minimal standard features list means you have to shell out plenty of money for many of the necessary creature comforts and safety functions, it is worth the sum when considering the value and driving pleasure a Porsche offers.